WASHINGTON, DC – Over the past two weeks, Jesuit colleges and universities across the country have led relief efforts and offered support to victims of Hurricane Sandy, which recently devastated the mid-Atlantic region of the East Coast. Three AJCU institutions were among those affected by the hurricane: Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT; Fordham University, with campuses in Bronx and Manhattan, NY; and, Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.

While no injuries were reported at Fairfield University, downed trees caused minor structural damage on-campus; off-campus though, heavy flooding forced 300 students to evacuate their rental homes and apartments. To help the displaced students, Fairfield faculty, staff and alumni offered their homes for temporary housing. Fairfield President Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, SJ was among those who opened his house to students, a gesture that was profiled in the Connecticut Post.

From October 29th through November 2nd, classes were cancelled at Fairfield, although administrative offices re-opened on October 31st. During that time, the university lost power for only 5 hours, thanks to the strength of its Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP). With power available across campus, the university opened the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex to let members of the local community who lost water and power take showers, and kept the DiMenna-Nyselius Library open every day for both students and residents of Fairfield to come and charge their electronic devices, use computers and stay warm during the cold. The university’s Barone Campus Center was also used as an emergency shelter for students.

To learn more about Fairfield’s response to the hurricane and continued campus recovery efforts, follow the university on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Classes at both of Fordham University’s campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan were closed last week, due to the loss of power and transportation closures across New York City. During that time, the university offered temporary housing for students, faculty and staff, as well as counseling to members of the campus community.

This week, Fordham announced that collections at Masses for the rest of the semester will be designated toward the university’s newly established Fordham Disaster Relief Fund. In addressing Fordham’s recovery, President Rev. Joseph McShane, SJ said, “On behalf of the entire Fordham community, I would like to thank those members of our staff who worked so hard to get us through the hurricane and its aftermath. In a special way, I would like to thank the members of the Facilities, Safety and Security, Student Life, and Food Service staffs who worked literally around the clock to make sure that our students were safe and that our buildings and campuses were secure when the hurricane hit. We are all in their debt, a debt that I am more than happy to acknowledge.”

To learn more about Fordham’s recovery and outreach efforts, please visit the university’s website.

Saint Peter’s University also cancelled classes during the week after the storm, as most of Jersey City lost power. Since resuming classes on November 7th, the university has announced the creation of the Hurricane Heroes Scholarship Program, which will award 15 qualified applicants with a $20,000 scholarship in appreciation for their voluntary service to individuals and communities impacted by the hurricane.

President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. said, “For more than 140 years, Saint Peter’s has been home to a remarkably caring and service-oriented community, rooted in the Jesuit principle of promoting justice at every turn. Hurricane Sandy revealed the selfless side of so many Americans, as they tirelessly worked to help their neighbors in need. Our students were among these heroes, working late into the night collecting food and supplies and making care packages for those displaced. We have developed this scholarship program because we are incredibly proud of our students and want to add more individuals like them to our community.”

To learn about the application process for the scholarship program, please visit the Saint Peter’s website.

Across the country, other institutions offered their support to hurricane relief efforts in a variety of ways. After Le Moyne College held a campus-wide forum to share ideas, the college announced a coat and blanket drive to support the New York Cares Coat Drive, as well as a blood drive on November 19th. Le Moyne has also announced a fundraiser to raise $5,000 to support a service trip for students to travel to New York and perform community service this winter. On-campus, the college will also hold a Hurricane Sandy Family Support Group for students, faculty and staff with family and friends in areas affected by the hurricane.

Last week, the University of San Francisco’s St. Ignatius Institute collected donations from students, faculty and staff to contribute to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for families and communities affected by the storm. This week, the University of Scranton hosted a drive to collect batteries, toiletries, canned goods, etc. to send to victims of the storm in Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY. More information on the drive and other efforts can be found on the Scranton website.

This weekend, the collections from all Masses at Wheeling Jesuit University will be designated toward Catholic Charities West Virginia to help people across the state affected by the storm.

We at AJCU continue to offer our prayers and support to victims, and will continue to update this page with information from our institutions.